A US-based influencer has sparked a heated debate after revealing: “I breastfeed my sister’s baby.”
Emily Boazman, a mum-of-three, is on a mission to “normalise” nursing your extended family – stating it helps her younger sister Kate to “get stuff done” and gives the new mother “a break”.
Although breast milk is extremely beneficial for the baby’s health, cross-nursing – the practice in which a woman offers her breast milk to another woman’s child – is complex, and as such, there is little health advice.
In some cases, cross-nursing – or cross-feeding – can occur for various reasons, such as the mother not producing enough milk, being ill, or facing difficulties in breastfeeding.
Many mothers in those circumstances use donor breast milk which in Australia can only be given after passing a blood test and an interview with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, NSW Health states.
This makes cross-feeding someone else’s child direct from the breast risky, but doesn’t stop people, particularly close family members, from adopting the feeding option.
For Ms Boazman, the intimate admission split followers, with many unable to agree on whether the act is “right” or “wrong”.
The fierce conversation kicked off when Ms Boazman shared a video of herself nursing her sister’s baby on TikTok, where it has since garnered almost 2 million views.
“Nursing my sister’s baby so she can actually sit down and eat breakfast,” text written across the video reads.
As the clip proceeds, Ms Boazman can be seen cradling her young niece, holding the bub to her right breast as she films with her other hand.
“I’m nursing my sister’s baby while she eats and recovers,” Ms Boazman tells the camera, before her sister chimes in: “I’ve already fed her, she just loves the nipple.”
Ms Boazman adds: “She just wants to nurse 24/7 so I’ll just pop in and give her a little feed so Kate can get stuff done besides just nursing.”
The video caption questioned followers on the controversial move, asking: “Would you, or have you nursed for someone before?”
Viewers were quick to weigh-in, with many praising the siblings for their close relationship, pointing out “wet nursing” used to be very common.
“It used to be considered perfectly normal so I don’t see why we can’t see it that way now,” one wrote.
“My sister would probably be the only person I would trust to nurse my baby besides me,” another shared.
As one said: “️LOVE THE LOVE!!!! Letting Mama heal and take a break is SO important, this is wonderful.
Many more said the act was “beautiful” and showed an immense display of love and kindness.
“That’s awesome, takes a village,” one commended.
“Way to go ladies!!! Share the wealth,” another praised, as one cheered: “This is so amazing good job girls.”
However, there were a few who saw red over Ms Boazman’s decision, with some labelling it “strange”.
“Weird AF to me I would never let someone nurse my baby,” one person said.
“Feel the same. Absolutely not,” another replied.
Some said they liked the idea in theory but feared they would be too “jealous” as breastfeeding is such an intimate moment of bonding.
When some expressed their “shock” that Boazman was breastfeeding her niece, she posted a follow-up video, calling for it to be “normalised” – which prompted others to candidly share their own nursing stories.
“My mum and aunt nursed each other’s babies all the time! If one went out for a few hours she didn’t need to rush home to nurse,” one said.
“I nursed for a total stranger in the emergency room once. I could see the stress in their eyes and asked if I could help them,” said a third.